The brother of murdered drug dealer, Brendan `Bap' Campbell (30), was jailed by Belfast Crown Court yesterday for being one of his couriers. Campbell was gunned down on Belfast's Lisburn Road in February, a shooting that led to Sinn Fein being barred from the peace talks for a fortnight.
Stephen Campbell (28), was caught with nearly 4,000 ecstasy tablets with a street value of £60,000 after a high-speed chase with police on April 17th last year. He pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs and having them with intent to supply.
Defence counsel Mr Terence McDonald QC said Campbell, from Cooolnasilla Park South in Andersonstown, had come under the influence of his brother and had stupidly got involved.
Jailing him for 18 months, Judge Patrick Markey said his involvement might be considered as an "isolated falling into temptation" after coming under the influence of his brother.
He said the sentence might seem excessively lenient but his must be regarded as an exceptional case and 18 months must not be regarded as the tariff for such drugs offences.